Rastafari

An Afrocentric social and spiritual movement that was developed in the early 20th century. Followers of the Rastafari movement popularized the style of locks in the 1970s. Rastafari guidelines include the tenants of the Biblical Nazarite Vow, which forbids the cutting of hair. Many believe the Biblical description of the Nazarite Samson and his “seven locks” describes locked hair, so they lock their hair in observance of the Nazarite Vow, as well. However, dreadlocks are not compulsory, and many Rastas wear their hair in other unlocked styles, such as box braids or cornrows, to observe the vow. Rastas reject the term “Rastafarianism,” and it is sometimes viewed as offensive.